The combination of Cortex-A15 processors and C66x DSP cores, with built-in packet processing and Ethernet switching, is designed to efficiently offload and enhance the cloud's first-generation general purpose servers that struggle with big data applications like high performance computing and video processing.

The new high-performance SoCs include the 66AK2E02, 66AK2E05, 66AK2H06, 66AK2H12, and AM5K2E04, all based on the KeyStone multicore architecture. With KeyStone's low latency, high bandwidth, multicore shared-memory controller (MSMC), the company claims that these new SoCs yield 50 percent higher memory throughput when compared to other RISC-based SoCs. With the integration of security processing, networking, and switching, these elements reduce system cost and power consumption, allowing developers to develop more cost-efficient, green applications and workloads.

TI also offers easy-to-use, evaluation modules (EVMs) for less than $1K.

TI's 66AK2Hx SoCs are currently available for sampling, with broader device availability in 1Q13 and EVM availability in 2Q13. AM5K2Ex and 66AK2Ex samples and EVMs will be available in the second half of 2013. Pricing for these devices will start at $49 for 1 KU.